Things I'm Grateful for...

There's a lot of things that I am truly grateful for and feel blessed to have in my life.

1) I have great kids. They are funny, smart, and they occasionally like to hang out with me.
2) I have a terrific husband. His sense of humour, considerate behaviour, the fact that he thinks that I am BEAUTIFUL, all make me appreciate this man. Plus he does housework, shares in the cooking and leaves me funny notes.
3) I have 3 adorable grandchildren, it's fun to see the world through their eyes.
4) I have good, good friends that will listen to my triumphs and disappointments and cheer me on or comfort me. They occasionally will lend me books or Cd's that while I might not have picked them out myself turn out to be exactly what I needed.
5)I own a store right next door to Earth Angels, whose owner, Maggie, has a terrific sense of humour and shares her snacks.
6) My customers and I have had wonderful conversations that have enriched me spiritually.

Life is good. Sure, there are things that I could complain about, but you know, the goods things in my life are much more fun to contemplate.

Talking Sticks

Once again we can learn a lot from the Native culture. The talking stick is a good example.

When there are issues to be discussed in a group the talking stick can be used as a reminder that the person holding the stick has the floor and that the other members of the group are to allow the stick holder to have his/her say without interruption. Not only that, but the others must listen attentively and really "hear" what the speaker is saying. When the speaker is done, the stick is handed to the next person and the process is repeated.

This can work well in a family when resolving a disagreement, as long as all members respectfully use the talking stick. Talking sticks are not there to enable gripe sessions, they are there to help you state your feelings and opinions so that the others understand where you're coming from.

Board meetings would probably benefit from the use of a talking stick. Really any group meeting from prayer circles, to spiritual meetings, to business meetings could use the talking sticks.

Our sticks are adorned with fur, feathers and crystals. These all have meaning. A note comes with each talking stick describing the materials adorning it.

You can purchase a talking stick at our store, Moonstone Path, in lovely Byron, Ontario. Go to http://www.moonstonepath.com/ for our address or our email address, should you wish to receive further information.

When things don't go as expected

I don't know, maybe I was being a tad unrealistic, but I was expecting sales to be more than this. OK, I know that this is the slowest retail season of the year. OK, I know that the economy has been kicked in the teeth and we are all suffering from this unpleasant state of affairs. Logically I realize that slow sales (or as in today's case) almost no sales is to be expected. But, dammit, my business bank account has taken a nose dive, bills are coming in and I have a vague feeling that the people that sent these bills are expecting to be paid.

There has been a definite feeling of self-doubt floating in the air. Optimism has suffered a blow. Worry and anxiety are taking residence within my head while shoving out confidence and self-esteem.

Now, if this was happening to a friend while I cosily was raking in the moolah, or at least meeting my financial obligations, I would be saying to Friend "The universe is just testing you. Keep believing in yourself and what you do, and the money will come. This is just a temporary state, things will get better. Listen to Esther Hicks and her Law of Attraction books." Today, If I were the said "Friend", I would probably punch me in the mouth, or, being non-violent would probably say to me to go fly a kite (of something slightly more profane).

Obviously this is not the right attitude to have, but it is an attitude that has been creeping in lately. "Reality is an illusion" HAH tell that to the phone company. "Visualize what you want and feeeeellll like it has already happened--HAH tell that to the landlord.

These negative and pissed off attitudes have been my companions these last couple of weeks. And you know what, though they reflect what I really feel, they have not done anything for me except feed into my self-pity and FEAR.

So, even though it is going to be next to impossible (did I mention a sore jaw (TMJ?) and hemorroids) I am going to eat (when it doesn't hurt too much), breathe, live and affirm that everything will work out, sales will be made to meet my financial goals, and that I already feeeelll like a prosperous, savy business woman.

I can't hurt (much). All I know is that my present state of FEAR is poison to me emotionally and physically.